Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Religion In Schools topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Public presenter asks Clark County board to consider LifeWise release‑time religious instruction
Summary
A representative of LifeWise Academy asked the Clark County Board of Education for conditional approval to offer off‑campus, privately funded release‑time religious instruction beginning possibly spring 2027, citing legal precedent and requesting a district point of contact and permission to begin hiring a program director.
Veil Salvaterra, speaking during the public‑comment period, introduced LifeWise Academy and asked the board to give conditional approval so the group can hire a director and staff and coordinate schedules with the district.
Salvaterra said the program would be privately funded, held off school property, and available only to students with parental permission. He told the board the program’s legality is well established, saying, “The legality of release time religious instruction has been upheld by the Supreme Court for more than 60 years in Zorach versus Clausen,” and described a logistics plan that targeted William Compride Elementary as an initial host site with a possible spring 2027 launch.
Salvaterra said LifeWise is asking for a district point of contact to provide required information and to confirm background‑check processes; he also offered examples from other Kentucky districts that have active programs and described research the group says shows benefits for participating students. Board members did not take immediate action on the request during the public‑comment period; Salvaterra requested a conditional approval to proceed with hiring and planning.
The board’s next steps were not decided at the meeting; staff and board members asked for the information required by state law to be provided to the district before any formal approval vote.
